The decision of the Bangladesh government to operate distance-learning programmes after shutting down educational institutions in the midst of Covid-19 outbreak is slowly exposing the social inequality.
Only students with smartphones and digital devices equipped with internet connections are able to take advantage of the online classes, leaving behind those from poor families.
This is causing frustration among low-income families and those living below the poverty line struggling to make the ends meet and coronavirus has brought economic activities to almost a grinding halt. Families are now more concerned about feeding the hungry mouths and cannot afford to spend money on gadgets.
Officials concerned in Khulna said they are planning to provide hand notes to students who cannot afford to attend online classes.
Lukewarm response
The government is running a distance-learning programme through Sangsad Television. Apart from this, classes are being taken on Facebook and YouTube for primary and secondary-level students in Khulna.
The programme is being run through a Facebook page and YouTube channel – Digital Primary Education Khulna and Digital Secondary Education Khulna – in a joint venture of the district administration and the education department.
Zakia Sultana, mother of a student from Raipara area in the city, said it is difficult to run a family by working at someone else’s house. “When there’s no money for children’s coaching classes, how can we afford [buying gadgets] for online classes. Those classes are for the rich,” she said.
There are 150 students from class three to seven in City Girls School run by Khulna City Corporation. Of them, only 25 students can afford online classes through smartphone sets.
A number of school students said they were not getting any benefit of online classes as they lack digital facilities. Many poor families do not have TV sets either.
Shah Ziaur Rahman Swadhin, headmaster of City Girls School, said before taking such an initiative, it was necessary to make sure every student will be benefitted. Otherwise, those below the poverty line will be deprived of.
(Source: UNB)
